|
Solo & Duo Artists These are a few songwriters from the New Jersey/ Philly area that make a difference in today's music scene. BEI recommends them, but does not represents them. We are just trying to spread the good word. Check them out and attend one of their shows! This list will change periodicly Anthony Renzulli Singer/Songwriter - Producer - Session Drummer  Anthony's first instrument of choice was the guitar but it was the sound of the drum that grabbed his attention a little stronger. After teaching himself the basics of playing the drums, he began playing along to his fathers old record collection. Anthony adds, "I didn't have a band or a teacher so I taught myself by playing along with Zeppelin, Hendrix, Cream, and Buddy Rich albums that belonged to my father. It took me a while to master the material on those albums but I'd say it was worth it because now there is nothing I can't hear when it come to the drums." In 1998 and still in high school, Anthony took first place in the all South Jersey Jazz Competition and became one of the youngest in IAJE Region III history to achieve at that level. So, an award winning jazz drummer and a few hardcore/metal bands later, Anthony decided he needed to take a totally different direction with his music. AR fills us in.."I always wrote my own songs. I just never showed anyone them. Its not that I was ashamed of them, I just didn't feel it was right for that time. I had a lot of learning to do with teaching myself the guitar and how to sing and play at the same time...lol. I still think I have a lot to learn but also a lot to offer." In 2002, Anthony started performing solo in numerous clubs and venues all over. Anthony performed in NYC, Philadelphia, Trenton and Delaware in just the first year. While he was not performing he practically lived in any recording studio he can get his hands on. Anthony produces all of his songs and was the drummer on the albums "For Lack Of A Better Day (ep)" & "Whats It Gonna Take". Anthony comments on his studio experiences (past and present), "All the engineers I've worked with in the past have been amazing. I like to keep it simple with a lot of feel, especially when I'm drumming. When you let your insides control the flow and dynamics of your music, you can turn a simple groove into audio magic ~lol. I just want to make the best music I possibly can, that's it. Hopefully our sound will continue to grow." When AR is not working on AR Band material and events, he spends time doing sound for bands and produces all genres of music anthonyrenzulli.com myspace.com/anthonyrenzulliband Joshua Kruse Singer/Songwriter - Friend  Singer/songwriter, Joshua Kruse, is a 24 year-old South Jersey native with big dreams and even bigger talent. An avid songwriter, with 120 plus originals under his belt, Joshua Kruse is steadily sculpting his craft. "I catch myself daydreaming throughout my everyday activities, coming up with little hooks and phrases in my head. It's like a jukebox is constantly blaring in my head - only the songs that are playing haven't quite been written yet!" Kruse's music has been described as Acoustic Rock, with hints of Soul and Americana; fused with simple, yet powerfully thoughtful lyrics that come off like he's talking right to you. Staying consistently focused on establishing a career performing his music, Joshua recently released his first album through Insomniovox Records titled "Every Little Bit That You Learn". Joshua Kruse can be found performing all over Southern New Jersey, Philadelphia, Delaware, and beyond. "Performing is equally as special to me as writing is. I feel like I gotta have both to be balanced." joshuakruse.com myspace.com/joshuakruse1 John Faye Singer/Songwriter  The Philadelphia rock quartet Ike had enjoyed a satisfying "slow burn" on their way to the upper echelons of the city's rock scene. Led by powerhouse lead vocalist and songwriter John Faye, the band has wowed audiences since the release of their debut CD Parallel Universe in 2003. Having shared stages with the likes of Bon Jovi, REM, Cracker, Butch Walker, Train, Better Than Ezra, Matthew Sweet, and The Hooters, IKE is accomplishing more as an indie band than many major label acts that get lost in the shuffle. Fueled by high-voltage live shows, unheard of radio play for an unsigned band, and a loyal fanbase which extends far beyond their hometown, IKE has taken its DIY ethic to every imaginable setting, from arena-size concert venues down to their intimate "Living Room Shows." The single "Into Philadelphia," from the band's 2006 album In Real Life has morphed into a hometown anthem, garnering regular rotation airplay on the city's legendary rock station WMMR, and getting high profile stadium/arena spins at home games for the Phillies, Eagles, and Flyers. The band received accolades like Philadelphia Magazine's "Best of Style" Award. But by the end of 2006, IKE parted ways with original members Cliff Hillis and Dave Anthony. John describes himself a little: From John's personal Myspace I'm just your average Irish-Korean rock musician. I've been playing music as my living for about a decade now. My first band, The Caulfields, was on a major label; we had a pretty decent radio hit ("Devil's Diary" aka "bigger than Jesus now"), and toured the US, Canada, Australia. I've been indie with my band IKE for 6 years now and we've been lucky enough to do a lot of things that major label bands get to do. ikeonline.net myspace.com/ike Keith LuBrant Singer/Songwriter  Keith LuBrant is from New Jersey, which has always been a breeding ground for great songwriters and great music. Sandwiched in-between two of the greatest musical cities in the world, New York and Philadelphia, New Jersey has the proximity to be influenced by the incredible music of these cities, yet the distance necessary to build one's own style. He has taken advantage of this fact with great success. His musical style is fresh and original. His dedication to songwriting is evident in the integrity and detail that go into the crafting of his music. Keith has performed at several conferences and festivals, had many songs aired on national television networks, such as CBS, MTV, VH1, Discovery, E Channel, CMT, HGTV, and wrote songs for companies such as Philips Lighting, and has performed on CD's with various national artists. He now looks to record the follow up to his debut CD, Face In The Crowd, and also continue to write for TV/Film. With his NEW RELEASE, Searching For Signal, all the hooks are all still present, but some songs have taken a new musical direction. "I knew I wanted to experiment with different styles and instrumentation very early in the songwriting stage for this project. I needed to explore a little more, dig a little deeper. I did not feel the need to recreate my previous CD." The perfect next step, Searching For Signal was released on Jan 10, 2007 on Kool Kat Records. keithlubrant.com myspace.com/keithlubrant |
